Responding Effectively to Women Experiencing Severe Abuse: Identifying Key Components of a British Advocacy Intervention. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Howarth, Emma; Robinson, Amanda
• Is Part Of: Violence against women. Volume 22:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 41
• Page End: 63
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: domestic abuse -- risk assessment -- multi-agency; Abused women -- Periodicals; Women -- Crimes against -- Periodicals; Violent crimes -- Periodicals; Femmes victimes de violence -- Périodiques; Femmes, Crimes contre les -- Périodiques; Crimes violents -- Périodiques; 362.8292
• DOI: 10.1177/1077801215597789
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-8012

Abstract

This article presents key findings from a multisite evaluation of Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) services—a form of intervention targeted specifically at women experiencing severe domestic abuse. Results highlight the complex lives of women accessing these services and the efforts of IDVAs to connect women with multiple community resources. Women remaining engaged with services reported positive safety outcomes. Frequency of contact with an IDVA and the number of community resources accessed were positively associated with the odds of achieving safety. These findings suggest this intervention is a promising strategy for tackling severe and complex cases of domestic abuse.